Therapy
Immediately after the injury to the knee, the procedure according to the so-called “RICE protocol” should be followed. RICE stands for the English words for protection, cooling, compression and elevation. If there is a strain or a non-serious case of an inner ligament rupture, conservative therapy usually helps.
The focus here is on protecting and restricting any movement involving the inner ligament. Bandages, bandages or splints can help, depending on the severity of the injury. If the patient is spared for a longer period of time, it is also necessary to rebuild the regional musculature after the injury has healed, among other things for prophylactic reasons. More severe ruptures require surgery in which the ligament is sutured and fixed at the original insertion points.
Tapes
In the case of slight injuries to the inner ligament of the knee, but also as a preventive measure among athletes, the so-called “taping” is becoming increasingly popular in sports medicine. This is an adhesive tape, which is not elastic and is stuck to the skin. It stabilizes the joints during movements, protects them from overstretching and acts as a compression bandage. Taping should be done by a doctor or under the supervision of a doctor.
Prognosis
The prognosis for injuries to the inner ligament is very good. Within a few weeks there should be no restriction of movement. Strains can heal well within two weeks, whereas ruptures are expected to take up to 8 weeks to heal. This prognosis is only true if only the inner ligament is affected.
All articles in this series: